Fundamental Concepts

Theory In order to understand how problems may be a product of the relationships surrounding them, we need a theory

Cybernetics Study of feedback mechanisms in self- regulating systems What are some of self-regulating systems that you can think of? Main Concepts: Homeostasis: Tendency of a system to remain in balance

Cybernetics Apply cybernetics to families Family rules: determines the range of behaviors that a system can tolerate Negative and positive feedback loops enforce those rules Sequences of family interaction maintain balance

Negative Feedback Loop Feedback loop: The process by which a system gets the information necessary to maintain a steady course Negative feedback loop: Error correcting information that restores status quo Blood sugar levels are high– increase in insulin Blood sugar levels are low– increase in appetite

Negative Feedback Loop

Positive Feedback Loop Positive feedback loop: Confirms that the system is in the right direction More of the same If you are on an icy road, if you step on the accelerator, you can spin out of control Scared of height no flying can’t go anywhere Phobia Panic attacks Dieting  Lose weight  More dieting  If it goes uncontrolled  anorexia Self-fulfilling prophecy

General Systems Theory Developed by Ludwig von Bertalanffy System refers to any entity maintained by the mutual interaction of its parts Essential properties of living systems arise from the relationships among its parts The whole is always greater than the sum of its parts

Living Systems and Reductionism Any organized entity is composed of smaller parts and the entity can be understood by reducing it to its smallest part. Living systems are nonreductionistic. Family systems are living systems.

General Systems Theory Our behaviors are products of relationship dynamics Everything is relational (as opposed to dispositional) Pursuer-distancer Overfunctioning-underfunctioning Controlling-rebellious

Definitions of systems Definition 1: “A system is defined as a whole made up of interacting parts. You can not add these parts together and get the total system The system is more than the sum of its parts Definition 2: “A family system is a social and/or biological construction made up of a set of people related by blood or intention.”

Elements in System Members interact in reciprocal relationships, responding to one another in the context of roles. Interaction – the interplay between members Reciprocity – both parties influence each other as they interact with each other Circular Causality vs. Linear Causality Roles – a character or function one plays Complementarity of roles

Boundaries The "lines of demarcation" that indicate who is in and who is out of a system. Boundaries can be physical or symbolic (or both) Permeability Ability to enter and exit the system Degree to which the system is open Diffuse_ _ _ _ _ _ _____________ Rigid (Enmeshed) (Disengaged) Boundary Ambiguity Uncertainty about who is in and who is out of the system Very common at times of transition

Hierarchies – power One Up/ One Down - Superior/ Inferior Egalitarian Captain makes decisions and first mate carries them out Egalitarian Both partners maintain or attempt to maintain an equal relationship Difficult to maintain, if focus is on total equality, in every way

Change vs. Stability “Family systems are stable in their chaos and orderly in their disorder . . .” Families are predictable in general, unpredictable in detail. What does this mean?

Homeostasis The tendency of a system to return to a state of equilibrium This is counteracted by the need for change in a living system (or the natural state of change in living system)

Epigenesis Whatever we do early in our lives and our relationships has a significant impact on what happens later in our lives. This is why your early experiences in your family have such an impact on you and why it’s difficult to change long-standing patterns. Can you think of an example?

Equifinality and Equipotentiality Equifinality -- Many beginnings can lead to the same outcome. Equipotentiality -- the same beginnings can result in different outcomes.

Subsystems Smaller units in the larger system which share the characteristics of the larger system Because of subsystems, you have multiple identities in the system Determined by gender, age group, generation, common interests, and function Examples? Parent subsystem Sibling subsystem Father-son Mother-son Parent-child etc.

Alliances Weaker elements in a system join with stronger (or combine with other weak ones) to counter a stronger element. Triangles Going through divorce, parents put the children in the middle “Kizim sana soyluyorum, gelinim sen anla”

In small groups, define and provide examples of: Hierarchies Homeostasis Epigenesis Equifinality – equipotentiality Subsystems Alliances Reductionism System elements Interaction Reciprocity Roles Wholeness Boundaries Permeability Ambiguity

Summary of GST The whole is more than the sum of its parts Human systems are ecologic organisms rather than mechanisms Emphasis on interaction within and among systems vs. reductionism Everything is relational

Other theories Social constructionism– Narrative Attachment theory Family Life cycle

Social Constructionism Objective reality does not exist Truth is relative and subjective Pictures are registered as organized by our nervous system We relate to the world based on our experiences and interpretations Interpretation is a mediator of behavior Deconstruct reality Application: Narrative therapy and solution focused therapy

Perception—what do you see?

What do you see?

What do you see?

Heartthrob or a thief? Perception is everything

A 14 year old doesn’t respect his parents A 14 year old doesn’t respect his parents. How would social contructivism interpret that?

Family narratives Family narratives organize and make sense of experience. They emphasize events that reinforce the plot line and filter out events that don’t fit into the narrative. Circularity between narratives, expectations, and behaviors A hyper-active 2 year old can be perceived as “trouble” “intelligent” Therapeutic application: Narrative therapy

Attachment Theory Examines the deeper roots of close relationships Types of attachment styles: Secure attachment Ambivalent/anxious attachment Fearful avoidant attachment Dismissive avoidant attachment

Attachment Theory Characteristics of Attachment: Proximity Maintenance - The desire to be near the people we are attached to. Safe Haven - Returning to the attachment figure for comfort and safety in the face of a fear or threat. Secure Base - The attachment figure acts as a base of security from which the child can explore the surrounding environment. Separation Distress - Anxiety that occurs in the absence of the attachment figure. Application: Emotionally focused couples therapy

Boundaries Visible and invisible barriers that regulate the amount of contact between subsystems Boundaries safeguard the autonomy of the family and subsystems

Family Life Cycle Families experience predictable changes throughout the lifespan: starts with marriage – ends with death Changes in one generation complicate adjustments in another Developmental stages Addition/subtraction of members Childhood stages Changes in family connections with social institutions

Stages of family life cycle Leaving home: single young adults Joining of families through marriage: The new couple Families with young children Families with adolescents Launching children and moving on Families in later life

Family Life Cycle On-track Off-track changes Problems occur where families are unable to accommodate the environmental and developmental changes

A new couple’s challenges Must develop complementary patterns of mutual support, or accommodation (compromise) Complemantary patterns can be temporary vs. permanent; healthy vs. unhealthy. Must develop a boundary that separates couple from children, parents and outsiders.

Challenges of new parents Emergence of a new system Must claim authority in a hierarchical structure Children need different types of parenting at different ages Infant: Care and feeding Children: Guidance & Control Teenagers: Independence & responsibility